The Sweet Taste of Victory

Even though it felt like it snuck up on us, this last Saturday was the annual Turkey Bowl Flag Football Tournament. After last year's debacle with the broken finger, I knew I had better make the most of this year's competition cause it could be my last. Here is my very cute nephew Gabriel, at one point he was holding 4 footballs in his arms. He also really liked playing with all the tackling equipment and knocking over the tackling dummies.

This year our name was North By Northwest. For most of our team, it was our fourth year playing together so we were pretty hungry for the title (we've come in 2nd, 3rd, and 5th). We played really well and had a good day. We only came up against one team we didn't beat, but no one else had even scored on them all day long and it was a really close game. We were pumped by that news and ready for revenge. We met up with them again in the finals and outscored them to win it all and take home the trophy.
I just need to take this opportunity to say how amazingly sweet it was to beat them. Everyone played a huge part on the team this year and we would have had a very different outcome without every member. Here's the crew celebrating our victory... ahh what a delicious moment. "We Are The Champions" playing over the speakers just for us. The tangible metal and plastic symbol of our victory in our hands, and the feeling of triumph that comes from hard work, dedication, and the strength to play through the pain.


As always, we couldn't have done it without our loyal fans!! Gabriel told his mom there was no way he could miss the Turkey Bowl and he had to be there to cheer us on. Dang straight!! (running on the field in the middle of the play to waste some time during our opponents last possession didn't hurt either...hehe. not that it was planned....just really good timing on his part.) And thanks to Scott who endured getting lost and the freezing cold to watch me play. And of course Mom came down to cheer us on, which meant a lot and Dad was with us in spirit even though he couldn't be there in person. He's getting better every day and should be out of the hospital soon!!! :D
Me and the Trophy. I just can't describe how amazed and excited I am that we won. All the years of being so close finally paid off. I didn't want to put the trophy down I was so happy to have it. It's going to rotate around for a little while so everyone gets a turn with it and then it will settle down with Troy (my brother and our captain) since he kept us going as a team.

I had said before the tournament started that I probably wouldn't play next year...i really am too old to be running around with those young'uns, so amidst the celebration I had to give my formal resignation from the sport. It was difficult but definitely needed to be done. Thanks for all your love, support, cheers....it was a great ride. :)